Optical detector at point of care

ABSTRACT

A patient support apparatus including a barrier, an optical detector, and a control system. The optical detector secured to the barrier and configured to detect indicia having a predetermined pattern. The control system includes a processor in communication with the optical detector, a transmitter in communication with the processor, and a memory unit in communication with the processor. The memory unit stores a unique identifier associated with the patient support apparatus. The processor receiving a signal from the optical detector indicative of data detected by the optical detector and performing a set of instructions in response to the optical detector communicating the data, the set of instructions performed by the processor including (i) linking the data with the unique identifier, and (ii) communicating the linked data and unique identifier to a network.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/075,243, filed Mar. 30, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,438, which isincorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related to the arrangement and operation ofpatient support apparatus with a sensor. More specifically, the presentdisclosure is related a patient support apparatus including an opticaldetector.

Patient support apparatuses known in the art include barriers, such assiderails and end panels for example, that are coupled to the patientsupport apparatus and may be positioned to block a patient from enteringor exiting a patient support apparatus. Some barriers are equipped withuser interfaces having user input devices such as buttons or keyboardsfor inputting information. Such user input devices sometimes requiremultiple button presses or keystrokes to enter information into acontrol system for the patient support.

Entering information with multiple button presses or keystrokes canincrease the amount of time a caregiver spends at a patient supportapparatus. Additionally, information entered via multiple button pressesor keystrokes can include mistakes from time to time.

SUMMARY

The present application discloses one or more of the features recited inthe appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in anycombination, may comprise patentable subject matter:

According to the present disclosure, a patient support apparatus mayinclude a barrier, an optical detector, and a control system. Theoptical detector may be secured to the barrier and may be configured todetect indicia having a predetermined pattern. The control system mayinclude a processor in communication with the optical detector, atransmitter in communication with the processor, and a memory unit incommunication with the processor. The memory unit may store a uniqueidentifier associated with the patient support apparatus. The processormay receive a signal from the optical detector indicative of datadetected by the optical detector. The processor may also perform a setof instructions in response to the optical detector communicating thedata. The set of instructions performed by the processor may includelinking the data with the unique identifier and communicating the linkeddata and unique identifier to a network.

In some embodiments, the barrier may include a siderail and the opticaldetector may be secured to the siderail. The optical detector may be atleast partially disposed in the siderail.

The siderail may include a body and a panel pivotably coupled to thebody and the optical detector may be coupled to the panel for pivotablemovement relative to the body of the siderail therewith. The panel mayinclude a user interface with a display. The optical detector may be abar code reader and the indicia may be a bar code. In some embodimentsthe indicia may be at least two bar codes.

It is contemplated that the data may be associated with a caregiver or apatient. The control system may further include a clock providing adate. The clock may be in communication with the processor. In someembodiments, the set of instructions performed by the processor may alsoinclude receiving the date from the clock and communicating the date tothe network along with the linked data and unique identifier. The datamay be associated with a biologic sample.

The network may include a hospital information system. The network mayfurther include a nurse call system.

In some embodiments, the control system may further include a userinterface in communication with the processor. The user interface mayhave a display and at least one user input device. The set ofinstructions performed by the processor may further includecommunicating a prompt to the display, receiving a response to theprompt from the user input device, and communicating the response to thenetwork along with the linked data and unique identifier.

The control system may further include a receiver in communication withthe network and the processor and a user interface in communication withthe processor. The user interface may have a display. The set ofinstructions performed by the processor may further include receivingnetwork information from the receiver and communicating the networkinformation to the display of the user interface so that the display isreconfigured to show the network information. In some embodiments, thenetwork information is patient information.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method ofmonitoring events at a patient support apparatus may include the stepsof detecting an indicia of a predetermined pattern with an opticaldetector coupled to a barrier, linking data communicated from theoptical detector with a unique identifier and a date, and communicatingthe linked data, unique identifier, and date to a network.

In some embodiments, the method may include the steps of displaying aprompt on a display and communicating a response to the prompt to thenetwork along with the linked data, unique patient support identifier,and date. The response to the prompt may be a patient information.

It is contemplated that the method may include the steps of receivingnetwork information associated with the data from the network anddisplaying the network information on a display coupled to a patientsupport. The network information may be patient information, caregiverinformation, technician information, or housekeeper information.

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any otherfeature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claimsmay comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode ofcarrying out the embodiments as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figuresin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the patient support apparatus of thepresent disclosure including a siderail with an optical detectorsituated in a panel pivotably coupled to the siderail;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a control system of thepatient support apparatus of FIG. 1 along with components incommunication with the control system;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of another siderail embodiment and ananother optical detector situated inside the alternative siderail;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an another siderail embodiment and ananother optical detector that is tethered to the alternative siderailbeing received in a receiving channel sized to hold the opticaldetector; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of yet another siderail embodiment andan yet another optical detector situated in a panel that is removablyreceived in a receiving channel sized to hold the panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A patient support apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is illustratively embodiedas a hospital bed 10. The bed 10 includes an optical detector 12 and acontrol system 14 (shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2) in communicationwith the optical detector 12. The optical detector 12 detects indicia16, 18 with a predetermined pattern and communicates a signal indicativeof data from the indicia 16, 18 to the control system 14. In theillustrative embodiment, the data is related to at least one of acaregiver, a patient, a technician, a housekeeper, a blood sample, aurine sample, or another biologic sample. In other embodiments, the datamay be related to other personnel or objects. The control system 14links the data with a unique identifier 15 associated with the bed 10and communicates the linked data and unique identifier 15 to a hospitalinformation system 20. In the illustrative embodiment, the opticaldetector 12 is a barcode scanner and the indicia 16, 18 are linear codessimilar to UPC codes. In other embodiments, the optical detector 12 maybe another optical sensor such as a color sensor, a light intensitysensor, or another suitable sensor. It is contemplated that in otherembodiments, the indicia 16, 18 may be other linear codes, bulls eyecodes, concentric circle codes, starburst pattern codes, color patterns,lights, or other optically detectable indicia.

The bed 10 includes a frame structure 22 having a lower frame 24 and anupper frame 26 which is movable relative the lower frame 24 via liftarms 28 as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Lift arms 28 pivot relative tolower frame 24 to raise and lower upper frame 26. The bed 10 alsoincludes an articulating deck 32 driven by a number of deck drivers (notshown) and a mattress 34 supported on the deck 32. The lift arms 28 andthe deck drivers, along with other drivers, make up patient supportdrives 35 (represented diagrammatically in FIG. 2). The bed 10 furtherincludes a headboard 36, a footboard 38, headrails 40 and 42, andsiderails 44 and 46.

The siderail 44 includes a body portion 48 and a user interface 50 asshown in FIG. 1. The user interface 50 includes a panel 52 and a seriesof user input buttons 54. The panel 52 is pivotably coupled to the bodyportion 48 of the siderail 44 and includes a display 56. The display 56is illustratively a touch screen LCD and may act as an additional userinput device. In the illustrative embodiment, the optical detector 12 issecured to the panel 52 and is pivotable therewith relative to the bodyportion 48 of the siderail 44. The optical detector 12 is thus always atthe bed 10 with a field of view 57 (shown in FIG. 2) near the bed 10 andis powered by the bed 10. In the illustrative embodiment, the opticaldetector 12 is always scanning for indicia in field of view 57. In otherembodiments, optical detector 12 may scan for indicia 16, 18 in field ofview 57 in response to motion detected near optical detector 12 by amotion detector included in the bed 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, the control system 14 includes a processor 60, aclock 62, a memory 64 storing the unique identifier 15, and atransceiver 66. The processor 60 is in communication with the clock 62,the memory 64, and the transceiver 66. The clock 62 communicates acurrent time and date to the processor 60. The memory 64 communicatesthe unique identifier 15 to the processor 60 and stores instructions forthe processor 60 to perform. In some embodiments, the memory 64 may bere-writable memory.

The transceiver 66 is in communication with the hospital informationsystem 20 and a nurse call system 70 as suggested by FIG. 2. Thetransceiver 66 sends information from the processor 60 to the hospitalinformation system 20 and to the nurse call system 70. The transceiver66 also receives information from the hospital information system 20 andthe nurse call system 70 and communicates that information to theprocessor 60. In the illustrative embodiment, the transceiver 66 is awireless RF communication device as is well known in the art. In otherembodiments, the transceiver 66 may be another wireless or wired device.It is also contemplated that in other embodiments the transceiver 66 maybe made up of separate components, one component for transmittinginformation and another component for receiving information.

The processor 60 is also in communication with the user interface 50,patient support drives 35, and the optical detector 12 as suggested, forexample, in FIG. 2. The processor 60 receives inputs from the user inputbuttons 54 and the touch screen display 56 of the user interface 50. Theprocessor 60 also sends screens and prompts to the display 56 of theuser interface 50 for user interaction. The processor 60 further directsthe patient support drives 35 to move the bed 10 into differentconfigurations. In some embodiments, the optical detector 12 may scanfor indicia 16, 18 in the field of view 57 in response to a user inputreceived by the processor 60 from the user input buttons 54 or from thedisplay 56.

In the illustrative embodiment, when the optical detector 12 detects theindicia 16, 18, the optical detector 12 communicates a signal indicativeof data from the indicia 16, 18 to the processor 60. In response toreceiving the data from the optical detector 12, the processor 60 linksthe data with the unique identifier 15 stored in the memory 64. Theprocessor 60 then communicates the linked data and the unique identifier15 to the transceiver 66. The transceiver 66 sends the linkedinformation to the hospital information system 20 and the nurse callsystem 70 for storage, display, and analysis. In some embodiments, thetime and date provided by the clock 62 may also be linked with the dataprovided by the optical detector 12 and the unique identifier 15provided by the memory 64.

In some embodiments, the hospital information system 20 may send networkinformation such as patient information, caregiver information, or otherinformation back to the transceiver 66 in response to the hospitalinformation system 20 receiving linked information from the transceiver66. In such embodiments, the processor 60 may receive the networkinformation and communicate it to the display 56 so that the networkinformation is shown on the display 56.

In one example of the illustrative embodiment, a patient bracelet havingindicia (not shown) is detected by the optical detector 12.Additionally, the indicia 16 on a biologic sample container 71 isdetected by the optical detector 12. Then data from the indicia 16 iscommunicated by the optical detector 12 to the processor 60. Theprocessor 60 then links the data with the unique identifier 15 from thememory 64. The linked information is then communicated by the processor60 to the transceiver 66. The transceiver 66 sends the linkedinformation to the hospital information system 20 and the nurse callsystem 70. Then the hospital information system 20 and nurse call system70 identifies a patient name and sample number associated with the datafrom the patient bracelet and the biologic sample container 71, therebyensuring that a particular patient has given a biologic sample.

In another example of the illustrative embodiment, when a caregiverenters a room with the bed 10, the indicia 18 on a bracelet 72, asshown, for example, in FIG. 1, is detected by the optical detector 12.Then, data from the indicia 18 is communicated by the optical detectorto the processor 60. The processor 60 then links the data with a timeand date from the clock 62 and the unique identifier 15 from the memory64. The linked information is then communicated by the processor 60 tothe transceiver 66. The transceiver 66 sends the linked information tothe hospital information system 20 and the nurse call system 70. Thenthe hospital information system 20 and the nurse call system 70identifies a caregiver name associated with the data from indicia 18 onthe caregiver bracelet 72 so that a user can monitor the frequency ofcaregiver visits to a particular bed 10 determined from the linkedinformation.

In some embodiments, when the optical detector 12 communicates data fromdetected indicia 16, 18 to the processor 60, the processor 60communicates a prompt to the display 56 of the user interface 50. Theprompt may be communicated to the processor 60 from the memory 64 orfrom the hospital information system 20 via the transceiver 66. A usermay input a response via the user interface 50 in response to the promptthat is communicated to the processor 60. Then, the processor 60 maylink the response with the data from the optical detector 12, the timeand date from the clock 62, and with the unique identifier 15 from thememory 64. The linked information may be communicated by the processor60 to the transceiver 66 and sent on to the hospital information system20 and nurse call system 70.

In one example of such an embodiment, when a caregiver enters a roomwith the bed 10, the indicia 18 on bracelet 72 is detected by theoptical detector 12 as suggested in FIG. 1. Then, data from the indicia18 is communicated by the optical detector to the processor 60. Theprocessor 60 may then communicate a prompt previously provided by thehospital information network 20 via the transceiver 66 to the display 56showing a patient name linked with the bed 10 and asking what bloodpressure the caregiver has determined for the patient linked with thebed 10. The caregiver may respond to the prompt by inputting a responseindicating a blood pressure by using the touch screen display 56 of theuser interface. The processor 60 then links the blood pressure from thedisplay 56, the data from indicia 16, the time and date from the clock62, and the unique identifier 15 from the memory 64. The linkedinformation is communicated by the processor 60 to the transceiver 66.The transceiver 66 sends the linked information to the hospitalinformation system 20 and the nurse call system 70. Then the hospitalinformation system 20 and the nurse call system 70 identifies acaregiver name associated with the data from the indicia 18 on thebracelet 72, for example, monitoring caregiver task completiondetermined from the linked information.

Another optical detector 312 and another siderail 344 are shown in FIG.3. The optical detector 312 is operationally similar to optical detector12 and is configured for use with the above described control system 14.The siderail 344 is substantially similar to the siderail 44 describedabove and similar features are indicated with like reference numbers.

The optical detector 312 is spaced apart from the pivotable panel 52 ofthe siderail 344 and the optical detector 312 is disposed inside thesiderail 344, as shown, for example, in FIG. 3. The siderail 344 has abody portion 348 configured to house the optical detector 312. Theoptical detector 312 is not movable relative to the body portion 348 ofthe siderail 344.

Another optical detector 412 and another siderail 444 are shown in FIG.4. The optical detector 412 is operationally similar to optical detector12 and is configured for use with the above described control system 14.The siderail 444 is substantially similar to the siderail 44 describedabove and similar features are indicated with like reference numbers.

The optical detector 412 is housed in a pod 480 that is movable relativeto the siderail 444. The caregiver pod 480 is coupled to the siderail444 by an extendable tether 482 shown in FIG. 4. The tether 482 isconfigured to keep the alternative optical detector 412 with thesiderail 444 as the bed 10 is moved from location to location. In someembodiments, the tether 482 may also serve as a communication linebetween the optical detector 412 and the control system 14.

The siderail 444 has a body portion 448 that is formed to include areceiving channel 484 sized to receive the pod 480 as shown in FIG. 4.When the pod 480 is received in the receiving channel 484, the opticaldetector 412 faces out so that the optical detector 412 can detectindicia 16, 18 without being moved relative to the siderail 444.

Yet another alternative optical detector 512 and another alternativesiderail 544 are shown in FIG. 5. The optical detector 512 isoperationally similar to optical detector 12 and is configured for usewith the above described control system 14.

The siderail 544 includes a body portion 548 that is formed to include areceiving channel 584 and a user interface 550 as shown, for example, inFIG. 5. The user interface 550 includes a removable panel 552 inwireless communication with the control system 14 and a series of userinput buttons 554. The panel 552 is removably stored in the receivingchannel 584 and includes a display 56 as suggested in FIG. 5. Theoptical detector 512 is coupled to the panel 552 and is movabletherewith relative to the siderail 544. The optical detector 512 is alsoin wireless communication with the control system 14. When the panel 552is received in the receiving channel 584, the optical detector 512 anddisplay 56 face outwardly so that the optical detector 512 can detectindicia without being moved relative to the siderail 544.

Although certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detailabove, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit ofthis disclosure as described and as defined in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A patient support apparatus comprising anoptical detector and configured to detect indicia having a predeterminedpattern, and a control system including a processor in communicationwith the optical detector, a transmitter in communication with theprocessor, and a memory unit in communication with the processor, thememory unit storing a unique identifier associated with the patientsupport apparatus, wherein the processor receives a signal from theoptical detector indicative of data detected by the optical detector andperforms a set of instructions in response to the optical detectorcommunicating the data, the set of instructions performed by theprocessor including (i) linking the data with the unique identifier, and(ii) communicating the linked data and unique identifier to a network.2. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opticaldetector is secured to a barrier.
 3. The patient support apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the barrier includes a siderail and the opticaldetector is at least partially disposed in the siderail.
 4. The patientsupport apparatus of claim 2, wherein the siderail includes a body and apanel pivotably coupled to the body and the optical detector is atcoupled to the panel for pivotable movement relative to the body of thesiderail therewith.
 5. The patient support apparatus of claim 4, whereinthe panel includes a user interface with a display.
 6. The patientsupport apparatus of claim 4, wherein the optical detector is a bar codereader and the indicia is a bar code.
 7. The patient support apparatusof claim 6, wherein the indicia is at least two bar codes.
 8. Thepatient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data is associatedwith a caregiver or a patient.
 9. The patient support apparatus of claim8, wherein the control system further includes a clock providing a date,the clock in communication with the processor and the set ofinstructions performed by the processor includes (iii) receiving thedate from the clock and (iv) communicating the date to the network alongwith the linked data and unique identifier.
 10. The patient supportapparatus of claim 8, wherein the data is associated with a biologicsample.
 11. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein thenetwork includes a hospital information system.
 12. The patient supportapparatus of claim 11, wherein the network further includes a nurse callsystem.
 13. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, wherein thecontrol system further includes a user interface in communication withthe processor, the user interface having a display and at least one userinput device, wherein the set of instructions performed by the processorfurther includes (iii) communicating a prompt to the display, (iv)receiving a response to the prompt from the user input device, and (v)communicating the response to the network along with the linked data andunique identifier.
 14. The patient support apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe control system further includes a receiver in communication with thenetwork and the processor and a user interface in communication with theprocessor, the user interface having a display, wherein the set ofinstructions performed by the processor further includes (iii) receivingnetwork information from the receiver and (iv) communicating the networkinformation to the display of the user interface so that the display isreconfigured to show the network information.
 15. The patient supportapparatus of claim 14, wherein the network information is patientinformation.
 16. A method of monitoring events at a patient supportapparatus comprising the steps of detecting an indicia of apredetermined pattern with an optical detector, the indicia being spacedapart from the patient support apparatus, the optical detectorcommunicating data that identifies a specific physical location of thepatient support apparatus as determined from the indicia, linking thedata communicated from the optical detector with a unique identifier forthe patient support apparatus and a date, communicating the linked data,unique identifier, and date to a network.
 17. The method of claim 16further comprising the steps of displaying a prompt on a display andcommunicating a response to the prompt to the network along with thelinked data, unique patient support identifier, and date.
 18. The methodof claim 16 wherein the response to the prompt is patient information.19. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of receivingnetwork information associated with the data from the network anddisplaying the network information on a display coupled to a patientsupport.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein the network information ispatient information, caregiver information, technician information, orhousekeeper information.